‘He should damn well listen’: Fighting words as tour ends

PAULINE Hanson and Bob Katter drew a crowd when they arrived in Roma to wrap up their three-day Drought Tour with Pauline and Bob at the Royal Hotel this week.

The pair started their journey in Charleville on Monday, and spent three days travelling the southwest, stopping in Cunnamulla, St George and Surat to meet with drought-affected locals along the way.

The trip quickly became an emotional one for Senator Hanson, who said she had a reality check after meeting with drought affected farmers.

"I knew people were doing it tough, but I didn't realise how tough they are actually doing it," Senator Hanson said.

"I've learned a lot, and what I have achieved with this is to give people hope that someone in Canberra does care, and is going to do what they can to help them, and get the message to the government."

For many, the pair of pollies have been a beacon of hope in the ongoing drought as disdain for federal policy grows, and the senator plans on taking their pleas to the top.

"When I have people coming up to me, they see me as their last hope of someone who truly listens, who is truly understanding what they are telling me, and they expect me to be able to wave a magic wand and make a difference in their whole life," Senator Hanson said.

"I've got to take that message back to the Prime Minster, to Canberra, and tell them what the hell is happening.

"It is the Prime Minster who should be out here on this tour, and it is him who should damn well listen."

The aim of their tour was to put pressure on the federal government to help our farmers across Australia who are struggling through drought, and Senator Hanson also took the chance to call on the Member for Maranoa, and all members representing drought-affected electorates.

"You have your representative here, and they are 'yes people' as far as I'm concerned," she said.

"The fact is, they need to get up and fight for their communities.

"If you really understand the people here on the ground, and what is really hurting them, and how it is affecting them, you will stand up and fight for them - you won't just go along with your party politics, you will actually be their representative."